What is a DDoS attack and how can I defend against it?

A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is a malicious attempt to disrupt the normal functioning of a network, service, or website by overwhelming it with a flood of internet traffic. The attacker uses multiple compromised devices (called a botnet) to send a massive volume of requests, thus crippling the target system's resources and making it inaccessible to legitimate users. To defend against a DDoS attack, several measures can be taken. Firstly, using a robust network infrastructure with sufficient bandwidth and redundancy can help absorb the attack. Deploying traffic filtering devices or services that can identify and block malicious traffic is also crucial. Employing a load balancer can distribute traffic and minimize the impact of an attack. Additionally, implementing rate limiting, access controls, and firewall rules can help mitigate the attack. It is advisable to work with a network security provider who specializes in DDoS protection to ensure the most effective defense strategy is in place.